Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building » solar impulsehttp://inhabitat.com
Green design & eco innovation for a better worldTue, 31 Mar 2015 18:28:41 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.1Solar Impulse 2 sets world record for longest solar-powered flight by landing in Indiahttp://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-2-sets-world-record-for-longest-solar-powered-flight-by-landing-in-india/
http://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-2-sets-world-record-for-longest-solar-powered-flight-by-landing-in-india/#commentsWed, 11 Mar 2015 21:56:04 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=728138The world watched as Solar Impulse 2 (SI2) landed in India on March 10, marking the first time a solar-powered aircraft has landed in the Asian country, as well as setting the world record for the longest solar-powered flight to date. This is second stop]]>

The world watched as Solar Impulse 2 (SI2) landed in India on March 10, marking the first time a solar-powered aircraft has landed in the Asian country, as well as setting the world record for the longest solar-powered flight to date. This is the second stop of twelve on the zero-fuel aircraft’s record-breaking trip around the globe, which began on March 9 in Abu Dhabi. The city of Ahmedabad plays host to the vessel for four days, as the crew prepares to take off again for the third leg of their historical journey.

]]>http://inhabitat.com/zero-fuel-solar-impulse-2-takes-off-on-worlds-first-round-the-world-flight-powered-entirely-by-sunlight/feed/1Solar Impulse unveils route for first round-the-world flight powered by the sunhttp://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-route-unveiled-for-first-round-the-world-flight-powered-by-the-sun/
http://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-route-unveiled-for-first-round-the-world-flight-powered-by-the-sun/#commentsTue, 20 Jan 2015 22:39:21 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=717124Slated for take off in either late February or early March 2015, the Solar Impulse 2 flight is expected to span approximately 25 flight days across 5 months and land in 12 different locations. The single-seater plane will cover approximately 21,748 miles at]]>

]]>http://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-route-unveiled-for-first-round-the-world-flight-powered-by-the-sun/feed/1Solar Impulse to Start Around the World Flight from Abu Dhabi Next Yearhttp://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-to-start-around-the-world-flight-from-abu-dhabi/
http://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-to-start-around-the-world-flight-from-abu-dhabi/#commentsFri, 21 Nov 2014 22:43:26 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=705193The first attempt at an around the world flight powered completely by solar cells will be setting off from Abu Dhabi in March 2015, according to the team behind Solar Impulse. With a 63 meter wing span, the Solar Impulse 2 plane took its first flight in 2009]]>

The first attempt at an around the world flight powered completely by solar cells will be setting off from Abu Dhabi in March 2015, according to the team behind Solar Impulse. With a 63 meter wing span, the Solar Impulse 2 plane took its first flight in 2009 and has been smashing records every since — this latest being the ultimate prize the team hopes to win in 2015.

]]>http://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-to-start-around-the-world-flight-from-abu-dhabi/feed/0INTERVIEW: GrabCAD Looks Under the Hood of the New Solar Impulse 2 Airplanehttp://inhabitat.com/interview-grabcad-looks-under-the-hood-of-the-new-solar-impulse-2-airplane/
http://inhabitat.com/interview-grabcad-looks-under-the-hood-of-the-new-solar-impulse-2-airplane/#commentsThu, 05 Jun 2014 21:00:50 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=657449Earlier this week Inhabitat reported that the Solar Impulse 2 launched its maiden flight in preparation for its record-breaking sun-powered trip around the world next year. The lightweight and ultra-efficient airplane is a marvel of modern technology - and]]>

Earlier this week Inhabitat reported that the Solar Impulse 2 launched its maiden flight in preparation for its record-breaking sun-powered trip around the world next year. The lightweight and ultra-efficient airplane is a marvel of modern technology – and mechanical engineering community GrabCAD recently published a great interview that takes a look under the hood. Read on to learn everything from the project’s tech specs to the team’s greatest engineering challenges and next steps.

]]>http://inhabitat.com/interview-grabcad-looks-under-the-hood-of-the-new-solar-impulse-2-airplane/feed/0Meet the Solar Impulse 2: The First Airplane to Attempt a Round-The-World Solar-Powered Flight!http://inhabitat.com/meet-the-solar-impulse-2-the-first-plane-to-attempt-a-round-the-world-solar-powered-flight/
http://inhabitat.com/meet-the-solar-impulse-2-the-first-plane-to-attempt-a-round-the-world-solar-powered-flight/#commentsWed, 09 Apr 2014 21:30:57 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=635638After the Solar Impulse prototype broke 8 world records for solar-powered flight, creators Borschberg and Piccard knew it was time to tackle the next big challenge: a trip around the entire planet. In order to do so, they had to build a bigger, badder Solar]]>

]]>http://inhabitat.com/meet-the-solar-impulse-2-the-first-plane-to-attempt-a-round-the-world-solar-powered-flight/feed/3Solar Impulse Lands in New York, Completing Cross-Country Flighthttp://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-airplane-to-complete-cross-country-flight-in-new-york-tonight/
http://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-airplane-to-complete-cross-country-flight-in-new-york-tonight/#commentsSun, 07 Jul 2013 16:45:50 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=531309It's been an epic journey for the Solar Impuse airplane and pilots Andre Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard. Two months ago, Piccard departed from the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA, and after making stops in Phoenix, Dallas, St Louis, Cincinnati,]]>

It’s been an epic journey for the Solar Impuse airplane and pilots Andre Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard. Two months ago, Piccard departed from the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA, and after making stops in Phoenix, Dallas, St Louis, Cincinnati, and Washington, DC, the solar-powered airplane landed at New York’s JFK Airport late on Saturday night with Borschberg at the controls. The landing came earlier than expected, as a tear in one of the wings required Borschberg to land the plane about three hours ahead of schedule. The arrival in New York marks the end of a symbolic journey across the country, which will serve as preparation for an around-the-world flight that is scheduled for 2015.

]]>http://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-airplane-to-complete-cross-country-flight-in-new-york-tonight/feed/0Solar Impulse Launches ‘Revolutionary’ Inflatable Hangar to Provide Shelter from Stormy Weather in St. Louishttp://inhabitat.com/solar-planes-inflatable-hangar-replaces-tornado-torn-building/
http://inhabitat.com/solar-planes-inflatable-hangar-replaces-tornado-torn-building/#commentsWed, 05 Jun 2013 20:00:38 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=519157A revolutionary inflatable hangar has replaced a tornado-torn building in St. Louis, Missouri that was set aside for the Solar Impulse plane during its groundbreaking solar-powered flight across the United States. St. Louis is a symbolic stop for pilots Bertrand]]>

A revolutionary inflatable hangar has replaced a tornado-torn building in St. Louis, Missouri that was set aside for the Solar Impulse plane during its groundbreaking solar-powered flight across the United States. St. Louis is a symbolic stop for pilots Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, who will pay their respects to Charles Lindbergh and “Spirit of St. Louis” – the first plane to successfully complete the trip from New York to Paris.

]]>http://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-pilots-hosting-reddit-ask-me-anything-today-at-1pm-est/feed/0Solar Impulse Departs for Dallas on Second Leg of Sun-Powered Flight Across Americahttp://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-completes-first-leg-of-its-journey-across-america-departs-for-dallas/
http://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-completes-first-leg-of-its-journey-across-america-departs-for-dallas/#commentsWed, 22 May 2013 21:12:15 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=515235This morning the Solar Impulse airplane embarked upon the next leg of its sun-powered journey across the United States. The solar-powered giant has already traveled from the San Francisco Bay Area to Arizona, and at 5am it took off from Phoenix’s Sky Harbor]]>

This morning the Solar Impulse airplane embarked upon the next leg of its sun-powered journey across the United States. The solar-powered giant has already traveled from the San Francisco Bay Area to Arizona, and at 5am it took off from Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport en route to Dallas. The record-breaking flight marks a pivotal point in the team’s attempt to be the first to fly across the the country without using a single drop of fuel.

]]>http://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-completes-first-leg-of-its-journey-across-america-departs-for-dallas/feed/2Solar Impulse Launches Solar-Powered Flight from San Francisco to New Yorkhttp://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-launches-solar-powered-flight-from-san-francisco-to-new-york/
http://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-launches-solar-powered-flight-from-san-francisco-to-new-york/#commentsFri, 03 May 2013 21:42:23 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=508659The Solar Impulse plane is an entirely sun-powered, single-seat airplane that is capable of flying for 36 hours consecutively. In late March we got our first glimpse of the Solar Impulse, and last week it completed its final test flight before embarking on]]>

]]>http://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-launches-solar-powered-flight-from-san-francisco-to-new-york/feed/2Solar Impulse Completes Final Test Flight Over San Francisco Before its Sun-Powered Journey Across Americahttp://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-completes-final-test-flight-over-san-francisco-before-its-sun-powered-journey-across-america/
http://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-completes-final-test-flight-over-san-francisco-before-its-sun-powered-journey-across-america/#commentsThu, 25 Apr 2013 21:35:15 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=505695The Solar Impulse just completed its final test flight before it travels across the U.S. without using a single drop of fuel. The plane spent most of yesterday cruising around 3,500 feet over the San Francisco Bay, giving many people a chance to see the giant]]>

The Solar Impulse just completed its final test flight before it travels across the U.S. without using a single drop of fuel. The plane spent most of yesterday cruising around 3,500 feet over the San Francisco Bay, giving many people a chance to see the giant solar aircraft in action. The “Cross America 2013” tour is scheduled to kick off next Wednesday, May 1st, when Solar Impulse co-founder and pilot Bertrand Piccard embarks upon the first leg of the journey from San Francisco to New York.

]]>http://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-completes-final-test-flight-over-san-francisco-before-its-sun-powered-journey-across-america/feed/0Solar Impulse Airplane to Launch First Sun-Powered Flight Across America!http://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-airplane-lands-in-california-to-launch-first-sun-powered-flight-across-america/
http://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-airplane-lands-in-california-to-launch-first-sun-powered-flight-across-america/#commentsSun, 31 Mar 2013 15:20:24 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=495789The Solar Impulse is the world's first airplane to fly both day and night without fuel. There's a lot of engineering behind this incredible feat - the plane's wingspan is the size of an Airbus A340 (208 feet), yet it weighs less than a small car (3,527 pounds).]]>

]]>http://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-airplane-lands-in-california-to-launch-first-sun-powered-flight-across-america/feed/2Plastic Waste-Powered Airplane to Fly 10,500 Miles from Sydney to Londonhttp://inhabitat.com/plastic-waste-powered-airplane-to-fly-10500-miles-from-sydney-to-london/
http://inhabitat.com/plastic-waste-powered-airplane-to-fly-10500-miles-from-sydney-to-london/#commentsMon, 25 Feb 2013 22:41:17 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=486696Australian pilot Jeremy Rowsell is set to break new boundaries for alternative energy by flying from Australia to Britain in an airplane powered entirely by plastic waste. Rowsell's "Wings of Waste" Cessna plane will fly from Sydney to London via Asia, the]]>

Australian pilot Jeremy Rowsell is set to break new boundaries for alternative energy by flying from Australia to Britain in an airplane powered entirely by plastic waste. Rowsell’s “Wings of Waste” Cessna plane will fly from Sydney to London via Asia, the Middle East, and Europe using fuel refined from “end-of-life” materials such as plastic bags and other refuse that would otherwise wind up in landfills.

]]>http://inhabitat.com/plastic-waste-powered-airplane-to-fly-10500-miles-from-sydney-to-london/feed/0Solar Impulse Team to Attempt First Ever Solar-Powered Cross-U.S.A Flight in Historyhttp://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-team-to-attempt-first-ever-solar-powered-cross-u-s-a-flight-in-history/
http://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-team-to-attempt-first-ever-solar-powered-cross-u-s-a-flight-in-history/#commentsWed, 12 Dec 2012 23:00:17 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=466314Flights across the U.S. have become quite commonplace since Calbraith Perry Rodgers completed the first one ever back in 1911, but now a new group of aviation pioneers wants to attempt the same feat with a decidedly more difficult twist thrown in - they can't]]>

Flights across the U.S. have become quite commonplace since Calbraith Perry Rodgers completed the first one ever back in 1911, but now a new group of aviation pioneers wants to attempt the same feat with a decidedly more difficult twist thrown in – they can’t use any fuel except for the power of the sun. The Solar Impulse team, led by Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, announced last night that it will be taking its solar-powered plane to the skies this summer on a transcontinental flight from San Francisco to New York. If successful, the trip would be the first solar-powered, cross-America flight in history.

]]>http://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-team-to-attempt-first-ever-solar-powered-cross-u-s-a-flight-in-history/feed/0Elektra One Solar Plane Now Comes With its Own Photovoltaic Charging Trailerhttp://inhabitat.com/elektra-one-solar-plane-now-comes-with-its-own-photovoltaic-charging-trailer/
http://inhabitat.com/elektra-one-solar-plane-now-comes-with-its-own-photovoltaic-charging-trailer/#commentsTue, 11 Sep 2012 17:40:11 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=435122SolarWorld and PC-Aero's Elektra One Solar Plane harnesses energy from the sun to help it fly with zero-emissions. We covered the maiden flight of the solar plane in the past, and Elektra One just debuted an awesome new accessory at the ILA Berlin Air Show]]>

]]>http://inhabitat.com/elektra-one-solar-plane-now-comes-with-its-own-photovoltaic-charging-trailer/feed/0Solar Impulse Airplane Returns Home After World’s First Solar-Powered Intercontinental Flighthttp://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-airplane-returns-home-after-worlds-first-solar-powered-intercontinental-flight/
http://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-airplane-returns-home-after-worlds-first-solar-powered-intercontinental-flight/#commentsTue, 24 Jul 2012 21:38:18 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=414702Following the completion of the world’s first solar-powered intercontinental flight, the Solar Impulse airplane has returned home to Switzerland. After flying for 6,700 miles over four countries and two continents, the solar-powered airplane piloted by Bertrand]]>

Late last night the Solar Impulse successfully completed the world’s first solar-powered intercontinental flight! After taking off from Spain, Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg piloted their Solar Impulse airplane over 515 miles to their destination in Rabat, Morocco. “This flight marks a new stage in the history of the project because we have reached another continent. Furthermore, after almost 20 hours of flight, we landed with a full set of batteries. This is extraordinary as it represents an increase in confidence in new technologies,” said André Borschberg as the Solar Impulse landed on the runway.

]]>http://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-has-completed-the-worlds-first-solar-powered-intercontinental-flight/feed/2Solar Impulse Airplane to Attempt World’s First Solar-Powered Intercontinental Flight Today!http://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-airplane-to-attempt-worlds-first-solar-powered-intercontinental-flight-today/
http://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-airplane-to-attempt-worlds-first-solar-powered-intercontinental-flight-today/#commentsMon, 04 Jun 2012 21:24:31 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=394628The Solar Impulse solar-powered plane will take off from Madrid-Barajas airport (Spain) at 11:30PM (ESDT) and will ascend to an altitude of 12,000 feet in the direction of Seville. The plane will then cross the Gibraltar strait over the Mediterranean around]]>

]]>http://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-airplane-to-attempt-worlds-first-solar-powered-intercontinental-flight-today/feed/1Solar Impulse Sun-Powered Plane Will Attempt to Fly from Switzerland to Moroccohttp://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-sun-powered-plane-will-attempt-to-fly-from-switzerland-to-morocco/
http://inhabitat.com/solar-impulse-sun-powered-plane-will-attempt-to-fly-from-switzerland-to-morocco/#commentsFri, 30 Mar 2012 19:47:25 +0000http://inhabitat.com/?p=368979For the first time ever, a solar plane will attempt to fly from Switzerland to Morocco. Back in 2011 Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg flew their Solar Impulse plane from Paris to Brussels, however the plane's latest journey will travel even further -]]>

For the first time ever, a solar plane will attempt to fly from Switzerland to Morocco. Back in 2011 Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg flew their Solar Impulse plane from Paris to Brussels, however the plane’s latest journey will travel even further – the plane will attempt to travel over 1,550 miles without using a drop of fuel.